visit information (singapore) - transport

RANLO SINGAPORE maintains a pool of eight (8) service vehicles, principally for the use of visiting RAN FE personnel, RANLO SINGAPORE personnel and ADF personnel visiting Singapore on duty. All of the vehicles are operated and maintained in accordance with ADF service motor vehicle regulations. As these vehicles are used on a daily basis by RANLO staff to conduct their day to day business, vehicle availability can at times be limited. Personnel wishing to use the vehicles should book through the CPOMT in advance.

ADF personnel visiting Singapore on duty and requiring a service vehicle should book in advance and on arrival contact CPOMT on +65 9615 9725 to obtain a brief on the regulations pertaining to its use. Points to note include:

• All vehicles are right hand drive.
• The vehicles are loaned only to ADF personnel visiting Singapore on duty.
• The vehicles can only be driven by ADF personnel with a NSW C class driver’s licence (or other Australian state or territory equivalent). Dependants of serving personnel are not permitted to drive the vehicles at any time.
• The vehicles are not to be driven while personnel are under the influence of any amount of alcohol (ADF motor transport regulations stipulate a zero blood alcohol limit).
• The vehicles are provided with:
• A street directory and running log. The running log must be completed after all journeys.
• A smart card that allows the vehicle to be used on toll roads and in shopping centre car parks throughout Singapore. RANLO SINGAPORE staff will ensure the cards have sufficient funds prior to the vehicle’s allocation.
• A fuel card (if required).
• Accident damage to the vehicle and/or traffic infringements are to be reported to the CPOMT if/when/as they occur.
• No smoking in the vehicles.
• No durian (smelly fruit) in the vehicles.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Buses. The nearest bus stop to Sembawang is at the top of Deptford Road outside Deptford Main Gate (entrance to Sembawang Wharves). Buses run approximately every 15 minutes. Costs vary, but are generally very cheap. Small change should be used to purchase tickets as no change is given by the bus driver. Bus guides can be bought at most newsagents. While buses are popular with the local population, most visitors will find that the MRT and taxis are a more convenient form of transport. Bus 169 will take you from the PSA terminal to Yishun for approximately SGD1.00.

Taxis

Singapore has about half a dozen taxi companies, with the most common, reliable and comfortable being Comfort Cab and City Cab. All taxis are very safe, clean and modern and the drivers all speak English. Fares are inexpensive and most taxis have metres (Comfort Cab and City Cab taxis all have metres). A trip from Sembawang to the City will cost between $15-20 SGD. Comfort Cab and City Cab accept cash and credit card. After midnight and before 0630, a surcharge of up to 50% applies. Taxis frequently run along Admiralty Road and can be seen at every MRT station. Alternatively, personnel can book a Comfort Cab (blue coloured cab) or City Cab (yellow coloured cab) by calling the number below:

Comfort Cab or City Cab (+65) 6552 1111
(a $2 - $4 SGD booking fee applies – Feb 08 figures)

If you have more than four people in your group, you may wish to use a Maxi Taxi instead of two taxis. RANLO Singapore staff regularly use Pal from LIMO PAL on 9001 4221. The driver is very accommodating but you should try and provide at least 2 hours notice. A fixed rate varying between $40-$50 SGD (distance dependant) will apply per block hour. Mention you are staying at the RANLO SINGAPORE accommodation and he will do his best to get the transport that you need. You can also arrange return trips to save you the hassle of trying to get taxis late at night from the city. The vehicle seats up to 12 passengers and is also good for a party of four going to the airport with luggage. Other Maxi taxi companies can be obtained from the phone directory or by dialling 100 for directory assistance. When returning from the city late at night, it is best to call a cab rather than to try to hail one on the side of the street or to wait in a queue. When you book a cab from the city, the Taxi Company operator will give you the taxi’s vehicle registration/licence plate number. Remember this number or write it down, so that you can identify your cab when it approaches (and to ensure that someone else waiting for a cab doesn’t take yours). Tell the driver to take you to Sembawang (pronounced Sem-Baa-Wung) PSA Terminal.

Trains. The easiest and cheapest way to get around Singapore is via the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system – Singapore’s train system. It is clean, fast and efficient. The nearest MRT station is Sembawang Station (N11). A journey to the City takes approximately 30 minutes. Fares range from $2.00 to $3.00 and tickets are available from automatic ticket machines. When you obtain a ticket you will pay a deposit of $1. When you are finished you can return the ticket to the machine and obtain your refund. Permanent tickets can be obtained from the manned booths and these allow you to top them up as required and are a great idea for longer stays. Eating, drinking and smoking are strictly forbidden in the trains and carry a heavy fine.

Trishaws. Trishaws are small three-wheeled cycles without a motor and with a passenger seat for two smallish people beside the driver. They are slowly dwindling in numbers but a leisurely ride in one is a good way to see the city and get in touch with the locals. The fares reasonably cheap (1998 fare was $1.50 SGD per mile). Before riding in a Trishaw, settle the price beforehand and make sure the driver understands you will be paying in Singapore dollars. Some unscrupulous Trishaw drivers have been known to try to extort visitors by insisting on payment is US dollars. Although slower than taxis, a ride in a trishaw can be an exciting, if not hair-raising, experience in Singapore’s traffic.

OTHER TRANSPORT OPTIONS

Rental cars. If you wish to hire a car while in Singapore, it is recommended that you do so from a reputable hire car company such as AVIS, HERTZ, EUROPECAR or BUDGET. RANLO SINGAPORE can provide assistance and obtain corporate rates. RANLO SINGAPORE currently uses a company called ‘Chans’, who provide free delivery of rental vehicles to, and pickup from the Sembawang Naval Wharves/Military Housing area.

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). To minimize traffic congestion in the Central Business District (CBD), Singapore uses an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. The system is used in conjunction with cash cards which are fitted in all vehicles. When you drive under an ERP Gantry, an amount is deducted from the cash card (amounts vary depending on the time of day and road being used). The same cards can be used to park cars in shopping centre car parks. It is the motorist’s responsibility to ensure cash cards have sufficient value. If you choose the hire car option, RANLO SINGAPORE staff can provide advice on how to top up your ERP/cash card. While RANLO SINGAPORE service vehicles are exempt from paying road tolls, some car parks (e.g. at shopping centres) still deduct fees from the card.

Accidents. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a traffic accident and there are injuries, damage to property or other complications, you must inform the civil police (999) and RANLO SINGAPORE. If death or serious injuries occur, you must not move the vehicles except with permission from the civil police. DO NOT admit liability; as a visitor, all foreigners are to report the matter to the police. If you are found to be negligent, a fine will be imposed on the spot. Radar traps and speed light cameras are used throughout Singapore. Obey the traffic laws and do not speed.